Arkansas volleyball splits squad this weekend

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team returns to the court for the second of four spring scrimmages this weekend. The Lady Razorbacks split the squad this week sending the 2007-08 seniors to Gainesville, Fla., for the inaugural SEC Beach Coaches Championship while the rest of the team travels to Houston, Texas, for tournament play. Arkansas head coach Chris Poole is excited about both events. “Beach volleyball is becoming more popular nationwide,” said Poole. “There has been interest to try and get it put in as an additional sport on the college level. The SEC coaches grabbed the opportunity to run an event this spring and we have 100 percent attendance from all universities. Each program could decide how many teams to send this first year and we made the decision to send our most experienced players. We felt like this was a reward for all the hard work they have put in during their career. It should be a fun event. Jessica Dorrell and Kelli Cole will be representing Arkansas and will be guaranteed four matches in pool play.” The returning Lady Razorback players travel to the Texas Tornados spring tournament facing New Mexico State, Texas, South Florida and Southern California in pool play. Teams move on into bracket play as the tournament concludes. “This will be the best competition overall that we have faced in several years,” said Poole of the Texas event. “I thought we did a lot of very good things last Saturday at Missouri State and everyone got a lot of playing time. We will again not focus on winning or losing, but trying to evaluate all our players against tough competition. I really want to give everyone a chance to earn playing time and see the improvement they have made over the last three months. Arkansas has two remaining spring events on the schedule. The Lady Razorbacks host a tournament Saturday April 19 with Missouri State, Tulsa, Oral Roberts and Missouri. Arkansas was originally scheduled to travel to Oklahoma April 26 but plans have changed and the Lady Razorbacks host Missouri Friday, April 25. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.